If we left it up to Anne to write her own bio, it would never get posted. She doesn't enjoy talking about herself, but Anne does love exploring the Twin Cities with her family and sharing her finds here. She, her husband and their four kids are lifelong residents of St. Paul.

The fall has come where I find myself finally down to one kid at home during the day. My preschooler and I are now able to see her three older sibs off at the bus stop each morning and then stroll home to spend all that quality one-on-one time she’s been waiting her whole short life for. We’re also planning to tackle the list (below) of kid-centric activities around town that I’ve kept in my back pocket since my oldest could toddle. Let me share some of my favorite places to take preschoolers — and I’ll mention where it’s absolutely appropriate to bring older siblings as well. Please note that all of the following activities take place on weekdays. For more inspiration on where to take the entire family on the weekend, visit our Family Fun Calendar.

Where: Mall of America RotundaTime: Ongoing Tuesdays • 10am – noonCost: FreeDetails: Live entertainment and activities guaranteed to excite the stroller set. You can view upcoming event details here. Make a day of it with a special Nickelodeon Universe 5-hour ride wristband ($11.95 plus tax) and a stop at the free play tables at the LEGO Store.

Where: Science Museum of Minnesota 120 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55102Time: Ongoing Tuesdays • 9:30am – noonCost: Purchase a regular price adult admission ticket ($13) and receive a child’s (ages 5 & under) admission ticket free ($10 value). Children under 4 are always free. Minnesota Children’s Museum members also receive free admission during Preschool Playdates.Details: This is a wonderful time for kids of any age to visit the Science Museum — the galleries are quiet, there are special shows and activity stations set up just for wee ones, and visitors are welcome to stay and explore as long as they like as long as admission is purchased before noon.

Where: The Works Museum 9740 Grand Ave., Bloomington, MN 55420Time: 9am – 12pm select Mondays through May 2, 2016. Check here for the complete calendar.Cost: $4 per child over 2 years of age (half-price), $8 per adult.Details: Preschoolers who love to build and tinker will enjoy the various hands-on exhibits at The Works. This is also a great place to bring school-aged children — my own brood loves to build and race K’NEX vehicles, play in the new Sensor Zone gallery, and engineer all kinds of contraptions in the Design Lab.

Details: A trip to Gleason’s open gym with your preschooler (particularly in the middle of winter) is an instant mood-lifter. The kids will love the opportunity to bounce on trampolines, scoot through obstacle courses, and play on the gym equipment to their hearts’ content. For older sibs, Gleason’s also hosts open gym for kids in first grade through age 13 ($12 non-member). See the schedule link for times and read about our visit to Gleason’s here.

Where: Three Rivers Park District – various sitesTime: Check the Young Children’s Program schedule for a complete listing of My Preschooler & Me classes.Cost: $4-$6/per person, both child & adult pay.Details: Participating Three Rivers Parks sites include Gale Woods Farm, Lowry Nature Center, Carl Kroening Interpretive Center, Eastman Nature Center, Richardson Nature Center, The Landing, and Cleary Lake Regional Park. Classes are appropriate for children ages 2 – 5 and explore the natural world through outdoor play, art, and other hands-on activities. Registration is required and can be usually be made online and always by phone (763.559.6700).

Wild Rumpus BooksWhere: 2720 W. 43rd St., Minneapolis, MN 55410Time: Ongoing Mondays • 10:30amCost: FreeDetails: True to its name, the bookstore can get a little wild during “Tail Time”. Come early if you’d like to get a seat – and make sure to stick around afterward to browse the books and hunt down all the resident critters!

Local library storytimesDon’t forget about the wonderful preschool (and toddler, and baby, and bilingual for that matter) storytimes hosted by your local libraries! Below you’ll find the most up-to-date links I could find for the following locations:

I’ll be the first to admit that it sounds cliche, but the preschool years really are over before you know it. I hope this list gave you a few new ideas on how to spend some quality time during the week with your preschooler – and, as always, if you have any favorite activities to share, please feel welcome to.

About the author

Anne Kingston

If we left it up to Anne to write her own bio, it would never get posted. She doesn't enjoy talking about herself, but Anne does love exploring the Twin Cities with her family and sharing her finds here. She, her husband and their four kids are lifelong residents of St. Paul.

2 Comments

When we go to the eagles nest in the new brighton community center i try to go on monday or wednesday morning. They have additional toddler activities in the gymnasium including a bouncy castle. No additional cost